Firefly Alpha - FLTA006 - Message in a Booster [Live: 31.03.25; 00:00 UTC]

15.03.25: Launch delayed due to range constraints. Working on a new date. Source: X

26.03.25: new launch date: 31.03.25

Firefly Aerospace is an emerging player in the small satellite launch market. Its Firefly Alpha rocket is designed to carry payloads of up to 1,000 kg to low Earth orbit (LEO). Similar to Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket, the Firefly Alpha is constructed entirely from carbon composites. However, it is larger and capable of delivering a heavier payload. A notable feature of the Alpha is its use of a tap-off cycle engine, a design that has not previously achieved orbital flight.

Here’s a comparison of the Firefly Alpha and Electron rockets:

Rocket	Height [m]	Diameter [m]	Payload to SSO [kg]	Cost per Launch
Firefly Alpha	29	1.8	630	~ $15 - $18 million
Electron	18	1.2	200	~ $8 million

As a relatively new entrant in the aerospace industry, Firefly has experienced both setbacks and successes. Flights 3 and 5 were completed successfully, and the company aims to build on this progress with its next mission.

Blue Ghost Mission 1

In addition to its rocket program, Firefly Aerospace developed the Blue Ghost lunar lander. The spacecraft launched on January 15, 2025, and successfully landed on the Moon on March 2, 2025, marking a significant milestone for the company.

For more details on the lunar program, Ellie in Space provided an inside look in January 2023: Firefly Aerospace Behind the Scenes Moon Lander Testing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwYXsz4B0JA

Scott Manley’s commentary on the landing: Blue Ghost's Landing Video Reveals Exactly Where It Landed On The Moon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWkyvcj93Oo

Additional footage of the Blue Ghost Mission 1 are available here:

The upcoming Firefly Alpha launch will be another opportunity for the company to demonstrate its capabilities in the competitive space industry.